NGT SEEKS REPLY FROM TALCHER MUNICIPALITY ON WASTE BURNING

Dhirmohan Ray,Odishabarta

Sub editor

Talcher:the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Eastern Zone Bench, Kolkata, has issued notice to Talcher Municipality and other state authorities over alleged open burning of municipal solid waste in public places across Talcher town.

The notice was issued while hearing an application filed by RTI Activist Deba Prasad Sahoo, who alleged repeated violation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 by municipal sanitation workers.

The petitioner claimed that waste, including plastic and leaf litter, was being openly burnt on roadsides, markets, and residential areas, causing serious air pollution and health risks.

Taking cognisance of the matter, the NGT observed that the application raises substantial environmental questions and directed the respondents to file their replies within one month.

 The matter has been listed for further hearing on April 27, 2026.The petition also highlighted severe air pollution in Talcher, with the Air Quality Index touching 380 in January 2026, forcing the district administration to impose GRAP Stage-II restrictions, including a ban on open burning. Despite earlier complaints and intervention by the Odisha Human Rights Commission, no effective action was allegedly taken by the authorities.